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HDPE helmet project


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Hello everybody,

I want to share with you my last project which is the realization of a HDPE stormtrooper helmet. My goal is to make a helmet as accurate as possible. The forum helps me a lot because it is full of valuable advice and I want to thank you all !

I first trimmed and assembled the helmet which is a 2mm khaki HDPE kit from Dark Agent. HDPE is very easy to cut. I was afraid because I used to work on ABS helmets : you can cut HDPE like butter !
 
I’ve prepared the green acetate film, the S trim and U trim and the foam.

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I assembled the two parts with two rivets on each side.

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For the paint to hold, I first flame treated the helmet with a blowtorch and then I cleaned it thoroughly with ethanol. I’ve found this tip here. (Be careful not to use the torch next to ethanol!). Believe me, it's very impressive to pass a flame on his helmet!

35180792622_9309a09c04_b.jpg

I applied 3 layers of Rust-Oleum red primer (distance: 25 cm, each layer is spaced from 10 minutes).  First layer :

34504472964_7af3ec2a49_b.jpg

Now I will wait a week that it dries.

35347939895_457b99de5d_b.jpg
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I also assembled and painted the mic-tips that are not those of the kit but those a friend gave me (I find them more accurate -Thanks Javier :duim: ). I used a black satin paint.

35308174076_180e5ec05c_b.jpg

Next time : the white paint ...

Edited by Moussvroum
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  • 4 weeks later...

Hi everybody,
I've found some time to apply the white paint ( 4 layers of Rust-Oleum white gloss (distance: 25 cm, each layer is spaced from 10 minutes)).

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Now, It must drie ... (more picture in natural light soon ;))

 

I've a problem for the tube strips. I want to paint them and I usually use a masking template from TB but it's on ABS helmets ... If I do that on this one, I think the white paint could be remove when I'll remove the template. Any idea ?

 

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On 6/16/2017 at 3:33 PM, Moussvroum said:

Hello everyone,

I wanted to share with you my last project which is the realization of a HDPE stormtrooper helmet. My goal is to make a helmet as accurate as possible. The forum helps me a lot because it is full of valuable advice and I want to thank you all !

I first trimmed and assembled the helmet which is a 2mm khaki HDPE kit from Dark Agent. HDPE is very easy to cut. I was afraid because I used to work on ABS helmets : you can cut HDPE like butter !
 
I’ve prepared the green acetate film, the S trim and U trim and the foam.

34960640090_331def2a63_b.jpg
35218083571_f124ed63cb_b.jpg
34537733393_c969787ae7_b.jpg

I assembled the two parts with two rivets on each side.

34537773753_8d2fb390b0_b.jpg
34504461624_bbb374fd13_b.jpg

For the paint to hold, I first flame treated the helmet with a blowtorch and then I cleaned it thoroughly with ethanol. I’ve found this tip here. (Be careful not to use the torch next to ethanol!). Believe me, it's very impressive to pass a flame on his helmet!

35180792622_9309a09c04_b.jpg

I applied 3 layers of Rust-Oleum red primer (distance: 25 cm, each layer is spaced from 10 minutes).  First layer :

34504472964_7af3ec2a49_b.jpg

Now I will wait a week that it dries.

35347939895_457b99de5d_b.jpg
34504489884_4d3cd1b0cc_b.jpg

I also assembled and painted the mic-tips that are not those of the kit but those a friend gave me (I find them more accurate -Thanks Javier :duim: ). I used a black satin paint.

35308174076_180e5ec05c_b.jpg

Next time : the white paint ...

What make are the mic tips? Where could I get a set?

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Painting details ...

 

I'm not very happy with the white color. Not as glossy than I thought. May by because I usually work on ABS helmets. Wondering if I should apply a glossy coat when finished (but it won't be accurate ... :huh:).

 

Never mind, I've started painting details. Even with a white paint on it, HDPE is difficult to paint ! It'll need two layers.

I used a masking template for the strips (13 teeth on the right, 14 on the left). We'll see when I'll remove it ...

Colors :

- Humbrol Enamel 20014 "Bleu de France brillant"

- Humbrol Enamel 20005 "Gris amiral brillant"

 

I confirm that the paint is fragile. A little piece have gone near the right ear when I removed it ... (but it's accurate !!! :D)

 

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First a picture of the inside : red oxydine + white + green HDPE = dirt pink. Like the original :lol:

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Today I've done the paint details :

- vocoder in gloss black (Humbrol Enamel),

- grey on the temples and the the dome (3 layers) + details in black,

- removing the mic tips template : it was easy but the teeth are not perfect ... As we say in France "Le mieux est l'ennemi du bien", "Better is sometime worse than good" . I've decided to keep it like that.

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Edited by Moussvroum
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- Have fixed the mic tips, put the U brown trim, screwed the ear. The screws are painted in white.

- S neck trim

- Have put the acetate green film for lenses. It's not easy to fit :huh:

- Foam (canvas from Whitearmor forum :D), straps (from TB).

 

The result is not perfect but the overall is good. The paint job was difficult. I don't know if I'll do some weathering ...

 

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